BANKING ANALYTICS

Ranking of the Azerbaijani banking sector (ranking includes the information component of the banking sector, the main events of the world economy, the analytical review of the main indices of the banks which are being ranked)

Russia to facilitate Kazakhstan’s bid to join WTO

Russia will facilitate Kazakhstan's bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Russian Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev said on Saturday commenting on his talks with WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo, ITAR-TASS reported.

"We have concentrated on three issues stemming from the agenda," he said. "First, on favourable conditions in the Asia Pacific Ocean and, second, on development in the format of the Doha Round."

"A road map is to be drawn up before the end of the year though in the past six months we have not achieved any results," the minister said. "We have had talks how to accelerate this activity."

"The third issue is our aspiration to facilitate Kazakhstan's bid to join WTO," he said.

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was established in November 1989 as a tool for peaceful and conflict-free settlement of economic, social, environmental and other issues for the 21 Pacific Rim countries and is based on consensus.

Besides Russia, the APEC embraces Australia, Canada, China, Malaysia, the United States, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan and other countries.

China's Qingdao hosts the current APEC meeting of ministers responsible for trade under the theme titled 'Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership' on May 17-18.

The theme reflects the region's dynamism and ability to forge a closer partnership to meet challenges and achieve long-term regional growth and development, the hosts say.